What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine)
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientHoney
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAminobutyric Acid
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingBacillus
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDextran
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine), Glycerin, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Tripeptide-1, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Honey, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Phytosphingosine, Sea Whip Extract, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aminobutyric Acid, Adenosine, Thioctic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Bacillus, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningPerfluorohexane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingEctoin
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPentafluoropropane
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingCitric Acid
BufferingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
AntioxidantAcetyl Heptapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Limonene
PerfumingWater, Perfluorohexane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cellulose, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Glycine Soja Oil, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ectoin, Phytosphingosine, Perfluorodecalin, Bisabolol, Maltodextrin, Pentafluoropropane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Parfum, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Collagen, Citric Acid, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Colloidal Gold, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Magnesium Chloride, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum